Loropetalum plant named &#39;SHANG-GREEN&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Loropetalum  cultivar named ‘SHANG-GREEN’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive upright, dense plant growth. Foliage is small and green. The new cultivar is a  Loropetalum , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Loropetalum hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘SHANG-GREEN’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program by theinventor. This new variety was found as an openly pollinated seedling ina group of unnamed, unpatented Loropetalum chinensis by the inventor,Robert Edward Lee, in Independence, La., at a research nursery.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interestingselection, the inventor first organized propagation of ‘SHANG-GREEN’ byvegetative cuttings during 2004 at the same commercial nursery inIndependence, La. The inventor continued confidential, controlledtesting and propagation, assessing stability of the uniquecharacteristics of this variety. Multiple generations have beenreproduced and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SHANG-GREEN’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘SHANG-GREEN’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘SHANG-GREEN’ as a new and distinct Loropetalum cultivar:

1. Controlled growth habit

2. Small green foliage

3. Dense plant growth

4. Upright plant habit

7. Good landscape performance

8. Good container plant

9. Hardy to USDA Zone 7.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

‘SHANG-GREEN’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to theassumed seed variety, Loropetalum chinensis. Plants of the new cultivar‘SHANG-GREEN’ however, are more upright in plant habit, with densebranches and small foliage.

Pollen parent is unknown.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘SHANG-GREEN’ can be compared to the commercial variety Loropetalumchinensis ‘SHANG-WHITE’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,738. Plants of the newcultivar ‘SHANG-GREEN’ are similar to plants of ‘SHANG-WHITE’ in mosthorticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar‘SHANG-GREEN’ are more upright, denser with smaller foliage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a plantof ‘SHANG-GREEN’ grown outdoors in Alabama. FIG. 2 shows a close up oftypical foliage of the new variety. The plant is approximately 3 yearsold, and is shown in a three gallon container. The photographs weretaken using conventional techniques and although colors may appeardifferent from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurateas possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SHANG-GREEN’ plants grown outdoors in Loxley,Ala. Plants are approximately 3 years old, in a 3 gallon nurserycontainer. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Loropetalum chinensis ‘SHANG-GREEN’-   Propagation: Typically by semi-hardwood cuttings in Spring and    Summer.    -   -   Root description.—Mainly fibrous, larger roots semi-wood.            Colored near RHS Grey-Brown 199D.-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Globular shrub.        -   Height.—Approximately 60 cm to top of foliar and flowering            plane.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 50 cm.        -   Branching characteristics.—Average 4 primary lateral            branches emerge from a pinch. Branches occur at            approximately 45° angles. Small, secondary lateral branches            are densely arranged, approximately 1.5 cm apart.        -   Primary branches.—.        -   Length of primary branches.—Average 25 cm, then pinched and            new branches emerge.        -   Diameter of primary branches.—Approximately 1.0 cm.        -   Primary branch strength.—Very strong, if difficult to break.        -   Primary branch color.—Mature branches near RHS Grey-Brown            N199A. Young branches near Brown 200C.        -   Primary branch texture.—Mature branches rough but not scaly.            Young growth rough and slightly scaly.        -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 3 years.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Type: Simple Arrangement: Alternate. Average Length:            Approximately 1.9 cm. Average Width: Approximately 0.9 cm.            Shape of blade: Ovate. Apex: Acute or abruptly acuminate.            Base: Rounded Attachment: Stalked Margin: Entire. Texture of            top surface: Pubescent Texture of bottom surface: Pubescent            Appearance of top surface: Matte Appearance of bottom            surface: Matte. Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS            Green 138A Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B            Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C Mature            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Green 137B Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 137C.        -   Petiole.—Length: About 0.25 cm. Diameter: About 0.1 cm            Color: Upper Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 152B Lower            Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 152D.-   Flower: Flowering measurements have not been recorded.-   Reproductive organs: Measurements not recorded.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Disease and pest resistance.—Not observed to be susceptible            nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Loropetalum            hybrid.        -   Temperature tolerance.—USDA Zone 7 through 10.        -   Fruit/seed production.—Not observed to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Loropetalum plantnamed ‘SHANG-GREEN’ as herein illustrated and described.